Did this with my son. Short but sweet. The views are great. Interestingly enough their was an unkindness of Common Ravens at the top soaring around and roosting on the towers. It was a bit eerie especially as they made their knocking sounds with their beaks.

I parked at the upper intersection of FR 542 and FR 252. I followed the road to the gate, then turned left, and free-lanced my way directly up until I encountered the switchbacked road/trail, which I followed to the summit area. Beautiful, sunny day. A great, short hike: 1 mile RT, ~270 ft. elevation gain. On the way out, I noticed the TH on the road just below the official parking area. Presumably, starting here would yield a slightly longer, and more scenic, hike to the top.

An early morning start and quick hike. Parked on the road near the turn off to the peak (where the pavement ends and the gravel begins). Then we just hiked along the road to the summit. It was windy and cold on the summit so we took our pictures and got off the summit.

We used the instructions from Explore New Mexico: http://www.explorenm.com/hikes/CedroPeak/ for this hike. (I didn't even know SP had a page for this one!) We had amazing weather - and not in the warm, sunny sense. We started off in a cool mist and drizzle. As we neared the top the drizzle turned to rain, but we pressed on. After reaching the top, while we were drinking water and exploring the summit, the rain turned to sleet...then hail (ouch!) and we quickly headed down from the summit. Then the skies opened up with thunder-slush! It was insane. We got back down the mountain as fast as we could through the slush and mud with 3 leashed dogs. My dear husband - so patient with me and my hobby. The poor dogs - covered in ice and snow. I have to take davebobk47's word there are nice views from the summit. All we saw were CLOUDS. Hiking partner: Husband. Pupcicles: Lady, Bing & Lela.